Whenever someone asks me, “What is the toughest thing about being an international student?”, the first thing that comes to my mind is homesickness.
It is especially challenging for international students as we face more difficulties travelling home due to visa requirements and transport expenses. Not only does homesickness affect mental health, but it can also lead to a demotivated university experience. In this blog, I am going to offer some handy tips to help international students who are worried about homesickness.
Make new friends
As an international student myself, I have experienced deep homesickness. I remember the first month at university; I was constantly thinking of my family and friends. Every time I saw posts on social media, the yearning for home was extraordinarily tangible. Partly because I was scared of missing out, but mainly because I felt lonely.
However, things got much better after making more friends, and I was no longer eating dinner in my bedroom or sitting by myself in lectures. The fact is, spending time with your friends dilutes the feelings of missing home. Having companions is a significant experience in university, as you get to enjoy your years here with wonderful people.
In York, there are great opportunities for you to meet people from your country and other backgrounds. For instance, at the beginning of the first semester, there is a dedicated talk for international students. Not only will you receive essential information there, but it is also a great opportunity to meet other internationals and make new friends. You can also join cultural societies and clubs, where you can find many interesting events and socialising opportunities.
Dive into your hobbies
Now, think of something that you like, whether it is arts and crafts or football. It is crucial to keep up with your hobbies, or develop new hobbies, in university because they keep you busy and engaged. I find that doing sports or playing a musical instrument effectively dissipates my homesickness. Plus, my hobbies help me develop valuable skills and meet new people. It is socially beneficial for you to integrate into different communities and meet people with similar interests.
At uni, you should absolutely join a club or society and get involved. The Students’ Union has hundreds of societies for you to choose from, ranging from academic to sports, art, and music. If you have a niche interest, York has always got you with a remarkable collection of distinctive societies, like the Duck Society and the Skydiving Society. Still not fulfilling your curiosity? You can always start a society with some like-minded people. Filling up your timetable is one of the best ways to distract yourself from feeling homesick, and at the same time, you gain valuable experiences with lovely people.
Connect with family and friends back home
One of the biggest fears of homesickness is the physical distance from people you are familiar with.
Growing up in a close family, I struggled a lot with this initially because studying abroad means that I can’t see my family every day as I was used to. The feeling of missing out and being forgotten is dreadful. I’ll be honest with you, I shed tears over this matter a couple of times. However, after finding my own pace and adjusting to my new life at university, I started to feel better. My schedule is quite flexible, so I always try to call my family as often as I can. Sometimes I even call them when I am waiting for the bus.
It is worth keeping in mind that studying abroad doesn’t disconnect you from the people you love back home. In fact, the distance makes your relationship with your family and friends more durable in many ways. Despite the time difference, I tell my family the little bits and pieces that happened in my day, and vice versa. Having the support of my family and friends alleviates homesickness and loneliness. Although I don’t see them in person, hearing their voice or receiving a text message or a picture is a great source of comfort.
Last thoughts
At the end of the day, studying abroad is a magnificent opportunity to encounter marvellous things and people. Therefore, actively coping with homesickness can maximise your adventurous journey in York. You are never alone in this situation, as the University values your wellbeing. It is important to get in touch with the University if you ever feel overwhelmed; you can find more information on their website.
Don’t let homesickness overtake your university experience! I hope you find this blog useful, and I wish you all the very best time in York.
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